The Door Is Still Open

Christ’s promises about his return and his eternal kingdom were written down to comfort believers facing the problems of day to day life in this world, as I Thessalonians 4:18 tells us.  “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”  These promises are not just allegorical or mythological stories to make us feel good, however.  They are literal events that will happen exactly as God said, even though they may not turn out as most prophecy teachers have described, as the angel explained in Revelation 22:6-7.  “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”

 Those who act on the promises God has given in Revelation will experience great blessings.  Most Revelation is describing what God will or has done, but Revelation 2 and 3 focus on what people in different churches need to do.  Unfortunately, many have interpreted those two chapters as referring to a historical picture describing different periods of history rather than a call to action for churches today.  As a result, many Christians see no need to act on the changes he told the churches to make.  They often resent any suggestion they need to make changes. 

John makes it very clear that these prophecies are not some product of his imagination or of some ungodly spirit in Revelation 22:8-9.  “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”  The angel was very clear the focus was to be on Jesus Christ, and not on himself. 

The angel went on to stress that these teachings were to be available to the people because the time was close and people would need to be aware of them.    When the Lord comes, there will be no chance to get ready and make changes.  Each person will be rewarded according to what they have done in this present life, according to Revelation 22:10-13.  “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”  It is the same point Jesus made in the story of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, that we have to be ready before it happens. 

Those who have believed God and obeyed him will have eternal access to that New Jerusalem.  Those who have not will be in the Lake of Fire with no hope of pardon, as Revelation 22:14-15 tells us.  “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

Today, the invitation is still open for anyone who will accept it, but it has to be accepted on God’s terms.  Those who try to change the terms will miss out completely, as Revelation 22:16-19 tells us.  “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”   Efforts to change the terms voids the entire contract.  No counter offers will be considered.